Main navigation

faith

You guys, I am not a patient person. I am not a stick-with-it kind of girl. I am a great initiator of things, but not so great at the follow-through. I tend to jump in with both feet to new projects and plans. When I make my mind up about something, I wanted it done yesterday. When I read, I devour chapters at a time, usually finishing books in a day or two.

Maybe that’s why I’ve had such a hard time finishing Anything by Jennie Allen. It’s a book that calls for slow reading and savoring. Lots of inner reflection and heart analysis and note taking.

I’ve picked it up four or five times now and found myself halfway through, with no real takeaway. I know from multiple reviews (and even my own rapid reads) that this book is a game-changer. So I’m picking it up again, this time with the goal of studying. I’m underlining and note taking and reflecting. And this sentence captured my attention: Knowing about God isn’t the same as Knowing God.

Who do I believe God is? Outside of my church, outside of my parents beliefs and my husbands beliefs and my baptist upbringing. Who do I, personally, believe He is?

I believe God is good.

I believe He is all-powerful.

I believe He listens to our prayers, each and every one of them.

I believe He has the ability and power to answer those prayers, but doesn’t always choose to do so in ways we expect.

I believe His will is perfect and that it comes first, before my earthly desires.

I believe He is a jealous God and detests when I put other things before Him.

I believe that God is not scared of my questions or doubts of fears. He knows who He is and He wants me to bring any uncertainties that I have to Him.

Yesterday morning my sweet baby girl was baptized. It was her public profession of faith and we could not be more proud of her.

She has been talking about her salvation for months. Years, actually. After Kyndall was baptized, Libby wanted to be baptized. Justin and I both felt like she wasn’t ready and didn’t truly understand salvation. She just wanted to follow in her big sister’s footsteps. But lately, her questions and comments have gotten more mature.

Wednesday night after church, the kids and I came home and got everything ready for bed. (Justin had to work late, so it was just us. When we called to tell him the good news, he was equally parts excited about her decision and sad that he wasn’t here with us.)

A few minutes after tucking Libby into bed, she came back into the living room with big crocodile tears dripping off her chin. “Mama, I want Jesus to be in my heart!” she said. Together, she and I talked about why we need to be saved and how we do that and what happens after. Then she crawled into my lap, in our old and tattered brown recliner, and we prayed. Following that prayer, my sweet little girl looked up at me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. With that smile, and with tears still streaming down her face, she rejoiced. “Mama, I’m a Christian now!” She was literally glowing.

We called our preacher, talked through things with him, and scheduled her baptism.

It is such an incredible feeling to know that my baby girl’s future is secure, and that no matter what happens here in this world, we will forever be together in Heaven.

Happy Labor Day, friends! We are enjoying a relaxing, lazy day off around here. It’s been a cool 90 degrees this weekend {insert crazy-eyed emoji here!} but fall is right around the corner and I could not be happier. These next four months are my absolute favorite time of the year. Cooler temperatures, college football, pumpkins, CHRISTMAS. Fun times, y’all, fun times.

In other news, a new She Reads Truth study begins today on Paul’s letters: Galations, Ephesians, Phillipians, and Colossians. I cannot tell you enough how much I am loving SRT. It’s quick and easy, but I’ve learned so much from the time I’ve spent on the previous studies.

If you want to join in, I recommend downloading the app. The app itself is free and includes a digital bible and other neat goodies, but each individual study plan has to be purchased. This is most convenient to me because it keeps everything together–the scripture, the devotion, and other reader comments. I can complete my day’s reading anytime, anywhere.

Of course, if you are trying to save a few pennies, you can visit the website daily or sign up for the free emails. If you are participating, comment below or use that handy email link in the sidebar to let me know!

One last thing–I am half-heartedly attempting to join in with Brave Love Blog and her #Blogtember challenge. Half-heartedly in that I’m joining in on the 7th of the month and I won’t be using all her blogging suggestions, just the ones I really like. Way to make it my own, right? 🙂 So come back tomorrow to see what I have to share!

You guys know that I am a long-time fan of Jen Hatmaker. She is my virtual BFF, but she doesn’t know it. I have read several of her books, follow her blog and on social media, and was able to hear her speak. You guys, she is wonderful. And absolutely hilarious.

I was able to get my hands on an early digital copy of her book For the Love, releasing August 18. For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards is a collection of essays written by Jen dealing with a wide range of topics. Jen encourages us to reimagine Jesus’ grace as a way of life, for ourselves and for others. She reminds us that we are called to be the good news to a hurting world. And she does it all with humor that will have you laughing out loud while you read.

A short preview, just for fun:

Thanks to Jen and Noonday Collections, I was able to get my hands on an early print copy. And I want to share that with you, my lovely readers.

To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment below. For an extra entry, follow Our Alabama Life by subscribing in the sidebar, and let me know in the comments. (If you already subscribe, just remind me in the comments.) Giveaway entries close on Monday evening at 9pm central and the winner will be notified by email.

Back in April, Lisa and I had the pleasure of attending a women’s conference at Shades Mountain Baptist church in Birmingham. We came home with dreams of hosting our own conference at TBC.

Fast forward three months, several Starbucks meetings, even more phone calls and emails later and our dream became reality. Saturday night, TBC hosted it’s first ever Women’s Conference.

Originally, I wanted to call it Wrecked, just because I thought it would be super funny to introduce it by singing “He came in like a wwrrreccking ballllllll.” My humor is debatable.

We decided on Unraveled, because that is exactly our prayer. That women would become unraveled for Jesus and His kingdom. We prayed that God would rain down His presence on the ladies in attendance and light a fire that could not be put out. It’s time for us to DO SOMETHING.

One of the first things we did (after getting the green light from our pastor) was contact Emily Fox, co-founder of Forget the Frock, about speaking. The Forget the Frock movement encourages people, specifically at Easter, to purchase a t-shirt instead of a fancy frock (aka Easter outfit). All proceeds from the t-shirts go to feed orphans in Africa through the organization Feeding the Orphans. (Feeding the Orphans does so much more than just feeding orphans, though. Visit their website to find out more!)

So we have Emily, we have some friends from our area-Grant and Angela-for worship, and we set up a chocolate fountain and coffee bar for snacks. Then we prayed like crazy people. 🙂

Saturday night, after months of dreaming and praying, God showed up. From the ladies in attendance to the worship to Emily’s testimony, everything was on point. If a lady left there without feeling God’s call to do something for His kingdom, she was having trouble with her hearing.

A few highlights from Emily:

There are hurting people everywhere. While she and her organization deal largely with women and children in Africa, we could find something closer to home. The point isn’t necessarily what you do for the Kingdom, but that you listen to God’s call, say yes to Him, and do something.

There are tons of reputable companies out there selling everyday items–clothes, jewelry, bags, shoes–and using the profits to do good. Purchasing with a purpose. We have to BUY those things anyways, so why not buy from these companies? You can find some of these companies here and here. I’m also working on a permanent list to go in my header, so check back soon!

Emily brought along merchandise from Better Life Bags and Feeding the Orphans, so we were able to shop, snack, and fellowship after she shared her heart.

You guys, we have got to become doers of the word. James 2:26 says ‘faith apart from works is dead.’ Christianity isn’t just going to church and hearing a sermon and serving ourselves. Our job is to go out, help those in need and spread Christ’s love. And our world needs more of that now than it ever has.

I have so enjoyed working my way through this She Reads Truth Women in the Word study. It’s been extra-awesome because I’ve been participating with those beautiful ladies in the above photo. We’ve shared some hilarious group texts, some heart-to-heart real life conversations, and most recently, a fun night filled with everything we’ve learned during this study so far.

I love Jesus, but it’s so fun (and life-giving!) having friends who love Him too! I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it was interesting to see which ‘woman in the word’ we learned the most from. Some of the women I had just passed over, not getting a whole lot from, were others’ favorites.

Some things we discussed:

Eve’s naming–Eve wasn’t given a name until after she and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit. The name Eve means “mother of all the living”, which we think she was given because she was given a new life–outside the garden. It was an act of grace from God–rather than giving her a name that meant death, He gave her one that meant life.

Sarah hearing people/friends outside the boat–I had never really thought about this before, but as Noah and Sarah waited on the ark, right after the flood began, could they hear their friends outside? Screaming, begging to board the ark. It’s such a sobering thought.

Delilah. Seriously, how can you think about Delilah without thinking about Samson. Was he just that stupid? Or cocky? Or was she just that convincing?

Hannah-my personal favorite. I love the way that Hannah worshipped God. She got up early, she made it a priority, she worshipped Him whole-heartedly. And He answered her prayers. I want to have a worshipping heart like hers.

Gomer. OH, Gomer. I love the image of God pursuing. Alluring. Persuading. He loves us. He will satisfy and complete us if only we turn to Him.

Esther. I’ve always loved the story of Esther. One thing I picked up from her story: My job as a follower of Christ isn’t to know the end-game or even the steps along the way. My job is to say yes to whatever He asks of me.

Are you following along? What has been your favorite part of the Old Testament study? Which study did you most identify with and why?

And if not, we started the New Testament this week and it’s every bit as wonderful as the old. Join in!

We have a little over a month until school starts back and I’m equal parts excited, sad, and nervous. I truly love my job and the start of a new year is the best time–all the planning and organizing and decorating–but I’m super sad to be leaving Jase while I go to work. (Seriously, if schools had daycares for teachers’ kids, it would be awesome.)

This year, for the first time ever, I’m nervous about the start of the school year. There is so much controversy going on in our world–over race, over gender identity and sexual preferences, over religion. That controversy is going to be seen and acted out in our children. The best quote I’ve read lately is from Sarah Bessey. She says, “So much of how we raise our kids is caught, not taught.” Even if we don’t speak directly to our children about things, they pick up on our opinions and our biases and our anger and our fear.

There are changes coming to our schools and they aren’t necessarily good ones.

Curriculum has changed in the Virginia school systems to add instruction on gender identity and sexual preferences. I believe this, like religion, is a subject better taught at home. I don’t want teachers instructing my children on who they are any more than I want them teaching my children who God is and how we should worship. As a parent, that’s my job.

Already in Alabama, school systems are having to defend their mascots. I hate racism, I do. And as much as I would like to pretend it doesn’t exist in my part of the world, it does. We need to make changes and speak out against it. But taking down historical monuments and changing the mascots of schools doesn’t do anything. We can’t erase history–we have to change our present in order to build a better future.

Join me in praying for our schools, will you? In our county. In our state. In our nation.

Dear Lord, we place our school systems into your capable hands. Put a hedge of protection around them. Help our schools not be a place of violence, but one of safety and comfort.

Help our teachers focus less on test scores and the opinions of ‘higher ups’ and more on students and their needs. Students don’t care about reading or multiplication or history when they are hungry or scared or hurting.

Help our students come to school with attitudes set on loving others and not on hurting others.

God, put up a barrier at our doors to keep all controversy outside and all innocence inside. Because innocence doesn’t think about gender identity or skin color or poverty.

Give our teachers the wisdom to deal with students’ needs and issues. Help us show them love, even in discipline. Help us be patient, understanding, and calm in every situation.

And if there is an issue with gender identity or racial relations or poverty, help us handle it with care while getting help from someone more qualified.

Give our teachers the words to advise without offending, both to students and parents. But help us to only advise parents when advice is requested.

Above all, protect our children. Help us remember that the greatest commandment you gave us was to love one another.

Some mornings, my quiet time looks like the above photo: peaceful, actually quiet, and it’s awesome. Other times, the opposite happens–I have my bible out amidst mess and noise and chaos. In those noisy times, God still speaks, y’all. (He may have to yell a little louder, but he still speaks!) Note to self (and to you!): Don’t let the lack of actual quiet time stop you from spending time with God and in His word.

It’s always amazing to me how two people can react the exact same passage of scripture and get two totally different things out of it. A friend and I were discussing the past few weeks studies and I commented that a certain few of them didn’t really speak to me the way the first weeks’ did. She was surprised, because it was the exact opposite for her. While I found some earth-shattering thoughts in the stories of Eve, Sarah, and Hagar (and most recently Miriam and Rahab); she had similar responses to Shiphrah and Puah and Jochebed. And that’s why it is oh-so-important for us to do these things together–to discuss and dissect and share. Several points she found so great about those stories, hadn’t even occurred to me!

Some things I’ve noted lately:

From Rebekah: God knows all the pieces of my story and He has purposed them for His glory. I loved this part: ‘We are all Rebekah’s, assuming control. We are all Esau’s wondering what we’ve done when ‘not fair’ moments come our way. And we are all Jacob’s, given the Father’s blessing when we’ve done nothing to deserve it.’

From Leah and Rachel: What I see most in these two stories are women desperately trying to find worth in worldly things. The love of a husband. The honor of childbearing. I am reminded that my worth comes from being a child of God. He has inscribed MY name on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). He calls ME by name (Isaiah 43:1). HE has deemed me worthy and nothing of this world can devalue that.

From Miriam: Oh, Miriam, how like you I am. Wanting to be in control, to be the hero. To be recognized for my hard work.

From Rahab: Rahab’s story is one of my favorite in all of the bible. It reminds me nothing we do is so bad that God cannot forgive and redeem. Also? Those labels I give myself (and others…ouch!) are incorrect in light of God’s labeling. And he calls me (and you, too!) redeemed.

Share with me–what has God impressed most on your heart the past two weeks?

I have participated for months now in She Reads Truthstudies–Fruit of the Spirit, Letters to Timothy, The Risen Christ–but none of those have I enjoyed as much as the current Women in the Word study. Women in the Word is a 9-week study that covers the women of the bible–Eve to Esther to Martha and everyone in between.

And in each story, the SRT writers encourage us to look past the woman to God and His plan. The sole purpose of the entire Women in the Word study is for us to become women in the word, learning more about our God by reading His story. My favorite quote from the introduction says “Let’s open the bible not for daily inspiration or a pep talk, but only to pursue Him.” How often do we open our bibles, hoping only to ‘feel good’ after reading?

Today is Day 9, and I thought I’d share some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way.

From the story of Eve: “Satan has a way of making us feel less ashamed of our sin (the thing that separates us from God) and more ashamed of ourselves (the things that links us to Him)!” How true is this? How much more shame and embarrassment do we feel over our appearance–our weight, our wrinkles, our cellulite–than over our sin? God created us in His image and to be free from shame. Anything else is from satan.

From the story of Sarah: Even when I am a ‘restless waiter’ like Sarah, God doesn’t give up on me. Even when I make a mess of things, He will come down and wait with me and sustain me and fulfill all his promises to me. I need to learn to sit back and rely fully on him, but how wonderful it is that even in my restlessness, His mercy abounds.

From the story of Hagar: Honestly, Hagar leaves me confused. I need someone more wise than I to explain some things to me. One interesting thing I found when attempting to research Hagar’s story a bit more is that some biblical scholars believe Hagar to be the daughter of King Pharaoh of Egypt. These scholars believe she left Egypt to travel with Abraham and Sarah after she saw how God saved them from the hand of the Egyptians.

If you aren’t participating in this study, you should! You can download the She Reads Truth app from the app store (free app, the actual study is $1.99 within the app) or simply go to the She Reads Truth site and sign up for their emails.

If you are participating, what did you learn in week one? Can anyone help me out with that Hagar situation?

Ya’ll!! I can’t believe it has been an entire TWO WEEKS since my last post. I knew going back to work would put a damper on this ol’ blog, but wow. Hopefully, we’ll resume a more regular schedule now that I don’t have work to go to each day! I have some updates scheduled for next week, but first a few random thoughts. Because I haven’t been able to leak my brain in a blog post for a while.

1. Kingdom work isn’t clean or tidy or easy, as is evidenced by this post from Lori Harris.

2. When God convicts you of something, you can bet your bottom dollar the devil is going to do everything he can to make you fail. Case in point: I have been very convicted about my language–using my words for positive. For the past several weeks, I’ve prayed for God to guide my words so that they will be glorifying to Him. Wouldn’t you know, I’ve had more gossip spewed at me in the past few weeks that in the last 29 years of my life? And oh how I wanted to hear it! Sometimes I did well turning it away, sometimes I did not. This sinful stuff is a daily battle, am I right?

3. Sometimes, right in the middle of this battered and broken world, God sends a rainbow. I was trying to leave Target the other night with a crying baby, two overly helpful girl children, and a monsoon outside. A sweet teenage guy came over and asked if he could help me. (He even called me ma’am!) That’s preciousness, right there. And when the rain let up, there was the most gorgeous double rainbow I’ve ever seen.

4. For the first time in my life, I have fallen in absolute love with a pen. A pen, I tell you. These Frixion pens are the best ever, literally. They write smoothly and brightly. They are erasable, thanks to new “thermogenic ink”. They are refillable. And a pack of 7 colors is only $9 on Amazon. (They are more expensive at Hobby Lobby–almost double!)

5. I have some really fun posts coming up–another hiking trip we took, a catch-up post of some things we’ve been up to, a calendar review, and a home improvement project in which I’ve partnered with Home Depot. Check back soon or just subscribe in the right side bar to receive my posts by email.